Thirty Lakes Watershed District
P.O. Box 376, 322 Laurel Street, Suite 13,
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-828-0243
www.30lakes.org
lakeswsd@brainerd.net

Board of Managers

Citizen’s Advisory Committee:

Staff:

District Legal Counsel
Kurt Deter, Attorney
Rinke Noonan, Attorneys At Law
1015 W. St. Germain St.
Suite 300 US Bank Plaza,
St. Cloud MN 56301. 
320-251-6700

District Auditor
Mathias C. Justin, LTD
P.O. Box 552
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
218-568-5242

Engineering and Technical Consultants
1. Alan W. Cibuzar
A.W. Research Laboratories
16326 Airport Rd. NE
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-829-7974

2. Tim Ramerth
Westwood Professional Services
423 Laurel St.
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-829-1751

3. Landecker & Associates Inc.
4646 County Road 11
Pequot Lakes, MN
218-568-4940

4. Don Anderson
Widseth, Smith, Nolting & Associates Inc.
7804 Industrial Park Road
Baxter, MN 56425
218-829-5117

Governmental Advisors

1. Dan Steward
Board of Water and Soil Resources
217 South 7th Street. Suite 202
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-828-2598

2. Julie Blackburn
Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources
One West Water Street, Suite 200
St. Paul, MN 55107
651-296-3767

3. Reed Larson
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
1800 College Road S.
Baxter, MN 56425
218-828-2492

4. Jeff Koshak, Project Manager
United States Army Corps of Engineers
Regulatory Field Office
8896 E. Gull Lake Drive North
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-829-2711

County Advisors

1. Mark Leidl, Land Services Director
Chris Pence, Land Services Supervisor
Crow Wing County Planning & Zoning Office
200 South 4th Street
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-824-1125

2. Keith Pohl
Crow Wing County Soil and Water Conservation District
512 C. Street NE
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-828-6197

3. Joe Oschwald, Area Hydrologist
Department of Natural Resources
1601 Minnesota Drive
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-828-2605

4. Don Ryan, County Attorney
Bruce Alderman, Cheif Assistant County Attorney
Deborah Erickson, County Auditor
Timothy J. Houle, County Administrator
Crow Wing County Courthouse
326 Laurel Street
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-828-1025

Legal Newspapers

The information contained in this section reflects conditions at the time of the plan revision. Since
Board and staff members are subject to change, the District should be contacted directly to
determine current Board and staff members.

Job Description of Managers
An appointed Board of Managers consisting of five members governs Thirty Lakes Watershed District. Working as part of the board, a manager helps direct the activities of the District, set policy, guides staff and makes key decisions on district priorities. District and Managers powers can be found in Minnesota Statutes 103D.335.
Oath and Bond:
Each manager must take and sign an oath of office.
Position Purpose:
The Watershed District Managers job is to preside over the business of the Watershed District. The District pursues the conservation of the natural resources in the state through regulation and the use of sound scientific principles. The Districts goal is the protection of the public health, safety and welfare and the prudent use of natural resources.
Qualifications:
A manager:
• must be a resident of the watershed district
• may not be a public officer of the county, state or federal government
• may be a soil and water conservation district (SWCD) supervisor
Appointment and term of office:
• county board is the appointing authority
• term of office is three years; a manager may be reappointed
• appointing county board must provide public notice before making appointments
• although the appointments must result in a balance of geographic and hydrological areas, once appointed, the managers DO NOT represent that specific area, but are required to make decisions on behalf of the good of the entire watershed.
Typical Board Responsibilities:
• elect officers: president, vice president, secretary and treasurer
• hire staff and delegate the authority to carry out district policies
• ensure that any staff or consultants employed by the district have a complete description of their responsibilities
• define the kind and level of services to be provided
• conduct an annual presentation to the county board, city councils and/or township boards
• provide for continued growth of the District and board members through education, succession of positions and maintenance of the district charter, bylaws and mission statement
• work as a team
Planning, programming and budgeting:
Develop a mission statement, policies and rules for the conduct of district business and the implementation of district goals. Typical tasks include, but are not limited to:
• set short and long term goals through ongoing strategic planning and preparation of the Watershed Management Plan (M.S. 103D.401 and 103D.405 or M.S. 103B.231).
• establish and maintain program and project priorities (M.S.103D.401)
• approve an annual plan and budget for conducting the business of the district and pursuing district goals for the following year (M.S. 103D.911)
Financial Management Ensure:
The financial solvency and accountability of the district and the efficient and effective use of district funds. Typical tasks include, but are not limited to:
• have prepared an annual audit of the books and accounts of the District (M.S. 103D.355)
• promote Watershed District services; participate in lobbying and fundraising
Reporting and evaluation:
Annually monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of District programs and services. Typical tasks include, but are not limited to:
• annually evaluate district, board and staff performance in relation to established mission and goals
• prepare an annual report for distribution to the county, the Board of Water and Soil Resources and the Department of Natural Resources
Leadership:
Exercise leadership in the community:
• hold regularly scheduled board meetings
• provide for and encourage citizens advisory committee
• work with other board members to achieve consensus on public policy issues
• review and approve contracts involving the District
• ensure the District meets all legal standards and requirements

Regulation:
Arbitrate conflicts among competing interests.
• Conduct review of permit applications and project proposals in a fair and equitable manner.
Desired behaviors and conduct:
• Courteous and tactful in dealing with the public and representatives from other agencies
• Service oriented and fair minded
• Willing to learn and to try new methods in performing tasks
• Team oriented in the sense that federal, state and local agencies can be both constituents and colleagues depending on the circumstances
• Aware of long and short term consequences of decisions
• Open and truthful in communication, stressing a cooperative, rather than alarmist, approach to working out problems
• Business oriented
Compensation and reimbursement:
Managers compensation for meetings and for performance of other necessary duties may not exceed $75.00 a day. (This amount can change). Managers are entitled to reimbursement for traveling and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.

Duties of the Districts Advisory Committee
Purpose:
The Managers must annually appoint an advisory committee to advise and assist the Managers on all matters affecting the interests of the Watershed District. One key role of the Advisory Committee is to make recommendations to the Managers on all contemplated projects and
improvements in the Watershed District.
Duties:
For purposes of carrying out its duties under this section the Advisory Committee shall:
(1) Elect a chair from its membership;
(2) Elect a recorder from its membership;
(3) Establish a meeting schedule, which at a minimum meets annually;
(4) Consider issues pertinent to the functions and purposes of the Watershed District;
(5) Review and comment on reports, minutes, activities and proposed projects of the managers; and
(6) Report to the Managers the general content of Advisory Board meetings and resulting recommendations.
Members:
(a) The Advisory Committee consists of at least five members. If practicable, the Advisory Committee members selected should include a representative from each soil and water conservation district, a
representative from each county, a member of a sporting organization and a member of a farm organization. Other advisory board members may be appointed at the discretion of Managers. The members must be residents of the Watershed District, except representatives from soil and water
conservation districts and counties and serve at the pleasure of Managers.
(b) In addition, the Managers may appoint other interested and technical persons who may or may not reside within the Watershed District to serve at the pleasure of Managers.
Expense reimbursement:
The Managers may reimburse members of the Advisory Committee for actual traveling and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of duties in the amount as provided for state employees.
The Advisory Committee receives copies of minutes from all District meetings and are invited to attend at a minimum two Manager meetings per year.

Job Descriptions of Staff

Administrator Job Duties

• Attend all meetings and workshops, record minutes and distribute to Managers and advisory board prior to each meeting (secretarial staff may also distribute).
• Prepare agenda, assist with scheduling guests, distribute to attendees prior to meeting and/or at meeting if revised.
• Create and update files as information is received. Distribute information and assign tasks to Managers and/or staff as needed.  Locate necessary files to be reviewed at meeting.
• Correspondence with other local units of government, other watershed districts and the public in person or via telephone, email, mail or fax as needed.
• Track, review and prepare checks for bills/invoices monthly and maintain basic checkbook duties as needed in the absence of administrative assistant staff.
• Prepare and send bills/invoices for services by the District. Send statements/past due notices as needed. (Complete these tasks in the absence of administrative assistant staff).
• Prepare legal notices as needed for newspapers (ex. Meeting change, advertise project or budget, welcome new manager or advisory board, etc.).
• Attend annual budget meetings, prepare list of projects outlined in Revised Overall Plan for review by Managers. Type and forward budget onto newspapers for publishing.
• Prepare and assist in distributing annual report.
• Prepare information for annual bulk mailing and assist with distribution.
• Reply to mailings and telephone messages as directed by Managers.
• Frequent communication with Managers, staff, bookkeeper and consultant(s).
• Grant Manager: research available grants, assist with Grant writing, fulfillment of grant requirements and maintenance of grant documents (ex. Invoices, progress reports, amendments, etc.).
• Purchase office supplies, equipment and furnishings as needed.
• Prepare information for annual audit as directed by bookkeeper.
• Retrieve mail from the post office, district mailbox and email, forward necessary information on to managers.
• Supervise part-time administrative assistant staff. Complete annual review with staff.
• General office tasks: filing, computer data entry, making copies, preparing coffee, letter writing, typing, organizing, receptionist duties.
• Prepare payroll monthly.
• Serve on Education committee.
• Prepare news releases as needed for local newspapers.
• Assist with tracking project expenses.
• Prepare and maintain District Policy and Procedure manual.
• Participate in meetings, conferences, and training sessions as directed by Managers.
• Any other duties as may reasonably be requested.
  
  Bookkeeper:
  • Maintain check register
  • Reconciliation of all bank accounts
  • Maintain individual payroll information
  • File Government payroll returns
  • Maintain accounts receivable
  • Preparation of Treasurers Report for Managers
  • Preparation of all information necessary for annual audit